by Jim Mullins
Assistant Director
Sports Information
September 3, 1999

After three straight 8-2 seasons, Corsairs are looking for continued success behind veterans

(Dartmouth, MA) - With three consecutive 8-2 seasons behind him, UMass Dartmouth football coach Bill Kavanaugh enters his 10th season with eight returning starters on offense and three on defense. Last season, the Corsairs finished second at 5-1 in the New England Football Conference Blue Division and were ranked #6 in the final ECAC New England Division III football poll.

But gone from last season are the record-setting combination of quarterback Jay Furtado and Ryan Bland and several other NEFC all-stars on both sides of the football. But Kavanaugh has established a reputation for having just enough to build around each season, while working new faces into key starting roles. The 1999 season shouldn't be any different.

"We've gone 8-2 in four of our last five years," said Kavanaugh. "Our goal is to make it to the NCAA tournament. I think we play the schedule to do that. We have a lot of new players this season. I'd say two-thirds of the roster is new. We just don't know when it will all come together for us."

Despite returning only three starters on defense, Kavanaugh has a pre-season Division III All-America cornerback to work with. Without a single pass being thrown in his direction, senior co-captain Mike Cotton (Middleboro, MA) is already considered one of the top defensive backs in the nation

On the heels of an outstanding 1998 season, Cotton was named to a pair of Division III Pre-Season All-America teams at defensive back. He was selected First Team All-America by Street and Smith and College Preview magazines, while also being listed as a player to watch by USA Football.

Last season, Cotton became UMass Dartmouth's first football All-America when he was named First Team Football Gazette Division III All-America squad plus First-Team All-East selection. Cotton led NCAA Division III with 11 interception as a junior, returning three for TDs, while also winning a New England Golden Helmet after returning two interceptions for TDs in one game. Cotton was a First-Team All-NEFC, ECAC New England Division III and New England Football Writers' 1998 Division II and III All-New England selection.

Joining Cotton on defense will be senior co-captain and linebacker Brandon Duarte (Wareham, MA), who saw plenty of action last season. UMass Dartmouth will be strong up front with junior Chris O'Day (Westminster, MA), sophomore Andre Straker (Medford, MA) and junior Matt Souza (Mansfield, MA), an NEFC First Team defensive lineman returning for another season. Along with sophomores Chris Jones (Foxboro, MA) and Dustin Soule (Middleboro, MA) at defensive end, Kavanaugh said sophomore Mike Caito (Chelmsford, MA) might also have an impact.

With two starting linebackers lost to graduation, Kavanaugh will rebuild the linebackers around Duarte with senior Charlie Hogan (Waltham, MA) over from offense last year, plus junior Nick Freitas (Swansea, MA) and sophomore Frank Feminio (Medford, MA)

In the defensive backfield, the pressure will be on junior cornerback Manny Santo (Warwick, RI) and sophomore Tony Lopes (Norwood, MA) along with safeties sophomore Marc Walmsley (Swansea, MA), sophomore Mike Marino (Revere, MA) or senior Jim O'Sullivan (Braintree, MA). With Cotton on one side the field opponents will want to keep the ball away from him.

The Corsairs have much more experience on offense, although it will be up to junior quarterback Matt McLaughlin (Mansfield, MA) to take over the job at starting quarterback. McLaughlin saw limited action during the last two seasons, connecting on 4-10 for 40 yards with two TDs and two interceptions last year.

With McLaughlin at the helm, Kavanaugh said the Corsairs would continue to throw the football, while also establishing the running game. UMass Dartmouth will try to take advantage of a couple of returners on the offensive line led by senior co-captain Kevin Mahoney (Dix Hills, NY), an NEFC First Team offensive tackle last year, plus senior Jonathan Rawson (Grafton, MA) and sophomore Derek Timo (Bourne, MA)

Last year's leading runner, senior co-captain Steve Wozniak (Whitman, MA) has been moved to full back, while juniors Mike Masse (Wareham, MA) and newcomer Frank Meranda (Richmond, CA) will split time at tailback. Wozniak led the Corsairs in rushing last season, averaging 4.2 yards per carry (648 yards on 156 carries) with four TDs. Masse returns to the Corsairs after missing last season. In 1997, Masse led the Corsairs in rushing with 712 yards on 158 carries (4.5 yd/carry) and a team-high 16 touchdowns.

"We'll be throwing on the run more than we did the last few seasons," said Kavanaugh. "You don't try to replace a combination like Furtado and Bland. Instead, we'll take advantage of McLaughlin's skills and his receivers' strengths."

McLaughlin will have a pair of returning veterans in seniors Jason Antonio (Mattapoisett, MA) and tight end Mike Armandi (Foxboro, MA) to chose from as his favorite targets. Antonio was UMass Dartmouth's second-leading receiver, grabbing 34 passes for 533 yards, an average of 15.7 yards per catch with six TDs. Antonio was third in scoring with his six TDs for 36 points. Armandi was named to the NEFC Second Team with 19 catches for 283 yards, an average of 14.9 yards per catch and four TDs

UMass Dartmouth has also brought in three new players who Kavanaugh hopes will get some playing time at the wide out position. Junior Guy Furtado (Dartmouth, MA), a transfer student from CCRI, freshman Joe Sabina (Taunton, MA) and freshman Mark Mota (Dartmouth, MA) will also be part of the Corsairs' offensive attack.

Sophomore Brian West (Raynham, MA) will handle all of the kicking duties for the Corsairs. An NEFC Honorable Mention last season, West was the Corsairs' second leading scorer as a freshman, connecting on 28-35 PATs and 3-5 FGs, including a career long 37-yarder.

UMass Dartmouth opens the 1999 season with a pair of road games at Western Connecticut and its NEFC opener at Worcester State on Sept. 17. The Corsairs will return to campus for their home opener against UMass Boston on Homecoming Day, Sept. 25.